If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen some confusing headlines about the Vatican. Honestly, it’s hard to keep up with who is actually in charge. Between the historic resignation of Benedict XVI, the global influence of Francis, and the recent election of a new American pope, the "pope timeline" has become a bit of a maze.
So, let’s get right to the point: Is the previous pope still alive? The answer depends on which "previous" pope you mean, because the Catholic Church has undergone a seismic shift in the last few years. If you are asking about Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the man who shocked the world by retiring in 2013, the answer is no. He passed away on December 31, 2022.
However, if you are asking about the predecessor to the current man in white, things are different. As of early 2026, the Catholic Church is led by Pope Leo XIV (the first-ever American pope). His immediate predecessor, Pope Francis, is also no longer alive. Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.
Basically, for the first time in over a decade, the Vatican is back to a "one-pope" reality. No retired popes living in the backyard. No "two popes" awkwardness. It’s a whole new era.
The end of the "Two Popes" era
For nine years, the Vatican was home to a situation that hadn't happened in 600 years. We had two men wearing white.
Benedict XVI lived out his final years in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, a quiet spot tucked away in the Vatican Gardens. He spent his time praying, reading, and occasionally meeting with his successor, Francis. While many expected Benedict to fade into total silence, he remained a symbolic figurehead for more conservative wings of the church.
When Benedict died at age 95 in late 2022, it felt like the end of a chapter. His last words, famously reported by his secretary as "Signore ti amo" (Lord, I love you), marked the conclusion of a life defined by deep, sometimes rigid, theological scholarship.
What happened to Pope Francis?
Most people still think of Francis as the "current" pope. It makes sense. He was the face of the Church for twelve years. But the landscape changed rapidly in 2025.
After years of battling respiratory issues and undergoing multiple surgeries, Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025. His death wasn't entirely a surprise to those following his health closely—he’d spent weeks in the hospital for bronchitis just before the end—but it still sent shockwaves through the world.
He didn't retire like Benedict. He died in office, just like most popes throughout history. He was buried in Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, a place he loved and visited frequently during his papacy, rather than the traditional crypts of St. Peter’s.
Who is the pope right now?
Since May 2025, the person you see on the balcony is Pope Leo XIV.
Before his election, he was Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost. Born in Chicago, he’s the first American to ever hold the office. It’s a massive deal. For centuries, the papacy was an Italian "club," then it moved to Europe, then South America with Francis. Now, it’s landed in North America.
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Leo XIV is kinda different from his predecessors. While he’s seen as a continuity candidate who shares Francis's focus on the poor and the environment, he’s also a canon lawyer who brings a very "American" sense of administration to the Roman Curia.
Why people are still confused about who's alive
The confusion is totally understandable. We went from having one pope at a time for centuries to having a "Pope Emeritus" (Benedict) living right next door to a "Reigning Pope" (Francis).
Then, within a span of less than three years:
- Benedict XVI died (December 2022).
- Francis died (April 2025).
- Leo XIV was elected (May 2025).
That is a lot of turnover for an institution that usually moves at the speed of a glacier. If you haven't checked the news in a few months, you might still think Francis is the guy or that Benedict is still tucked away in his monastery.
Understanding the "Emeritus" status
A big reason the question "is the previous pope still alive" stays in Google’s search bars is the title itself. Benedict XVI created the title "Pope Emeritus."
Before him, when a pope died, he was just "the late pope." But because Benedict resigned, he remained "His Holiness Benedict XVI" but without the power. This created a weird psychological footprint. People got used to the idea of a former pope just... hanging around.
When Francis died in 2025, there was some speculation about whether he would have retired too. He’d hinted at it. He even praised Benedict’s decision to step down, saying it opened a door for future popes to do the same. But in the end, Francis stayed until his final breath on Easter Monday.
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How to stay updated on Vatican leadership
It’s easy to get lost in the rumors. To keep it simple, here is the current breakdown:
- Current Pope: Leo XIV (Elected May 8, 2025).
- Immediate Predecessor: Francis (Died April 21, 2025).
- Previous Predecessor: Benedict XVI (Died December 31, 2022).
If you see a video or an article claiming that a "previous pope" is currently making secret statements or living in hiding, it's almost certainly clickbait or old footage. The Vatican has been very transparent about the deaths and funerals of both Benedict and Francis. In fact, Francis’s funeral was one of the most-watched events of 2025, with leaders from nearly every nation attending.
The legacy of the "previous" popes
Even though they aren't alive, their influence is everywhere.
Benedict’s writings are still the gold standard for traditional Catholic theology. You can't go through a seminary today without reading his work. Meanwhile, Leo XIV is currently navigating the "Francis legacy"—trying to figure out how to continue the reform of the Vatican bank and the synodal process that Francis started.
Leo XIV has already made his mark, though. Just recently, he opened 2026 with a massive plea for peace in conflict zones and officially closed out the 2025 Holy Year. He’s leaning heavily into the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, trying to bridge the gap between the conservative fans of Benedict and the progressive fans of Francis.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you’re trying to keep your facts straight regarding the papacy, here’s what you should do:
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- Check the official Vatican News site: If a pope (former or current) passes away, the Holy See Press Office is the first to verify it. Don't trust "Breaking News" from random TikTok accounts.
- Look for the "Habemus Papam": Remember that a new pope is only elected after a conclave (the white smoke). We have had two conclaves in the last 13 years, which is unusually high.
- Differentiate between the men: Benedict (German/Theologian), Francis (Argentine/Pastor), and Leo (American/Administrator). Knowing their backgrounds helps you filter out fake news about their "current" activities.
The "two popes" era was a historical anomaly. We are now back to the standard tradition of a single, reigning Bishop of Rome. While the memory of the previous popes remains strong in the Church's liturgy and laws, their physical presence in the Vatican has come to an end.
Next Steps for Research:
To get a better sense of how the current papacy differs from the previous ones, look into Pope Leo XIV's first major encyclical or his recent address to the College of Cardinals. These documents outline exactly how he plans to move away from the "emeritus" era and establish his own distinct leadership style in a post-Francis world.